The ATV market here in Australia had a pretty hefty restructure a couple of years back, but if the energy and enthusiasm I witnessed – and experienced – at a ride day for Segway Powersports is any indication, things are on the up and up.
I should probably start this review by clarifying who Segway Powersports are. If you’ve never heard of Segway before, or only associate the name with those two-wheel balance scooters from the early 2000s, you’re not alone. Yes, Segway did start out building those electric personal mobility devices (and still produce them), but since the brand was acquired by Chinese company, Ninebot, in 2015, the range has both increased and widened.
Segway Powersports was born in 2019 as an offshoot of the original technology and personal mobility company, but focussed on ATVs and SxS (Side-by-Side) vehicles. Unlike the original Segways, all these units are much more conventional, offered in both utility and sport form, with petrol or hybrid power – and four wheels! Utility ATVs from Segway Powersports are available in a range of engine capacities and equipment levels, while the SxS models offer full occupant protection and seating for up to six.
In late 2020, Urban Moto Imports (UMI) announced they’d be distributing Segway Powersports vehicles in Australia and New Zealand, adding to their brand portfolio that includes Royal Enfield, Benelli, Super Soco, Peugeot Motocycles and Rieju. While Royal Enfield has been a roaring success for UMI, Segway has been something of a slow burn. The first units started arriving here in mid-2021, but between COVID, the OPD dramas (more on that below), a limited dealer
